Ask The Friendslist: Job Offers

[tcepsa]

This is currently a hypothetical situation, but it could become much less hypothetical in the next few days:

I've been interviewing for a new position and I've had a couple that have gone very well and that I got very positive feedback on. I suspect I may be getting an offer from at least one of them--which seemed like a pretty awesome place--by the end of this week. Problem is that I have another very shiny prospect lined up for an interview at the end of next week, and I really would like for that one to at least have a chance! What's the protocol (if any) for if I do get an offer letter and still want to give the sooper-shiny-seeming job an interview?

Comments

[elkor.livejournal.com]

A week is a long time to sit on an offer On The Table (OTT). It's probably the limit you'd want to wait without making it obvious that you are, indeed, sitting on their offer hoping for something better.

Problem is that I have another very shiny prospect lined up for an interview at the end of next week,

Call Very Shiny job and tell them you are probably going to get an offer at the end of this week, and is there any way to move the interview up? Because, while you are very interested in their position, you can't in good conscience turn down OTT job offer without a competing offer, or keep OTT job waiting that long.

'Cause you don't know whether Very Shiny will be able to give you an offer that day, or even by the following monday. Some places could take up to a week after interviewing, at which point OTT will have been waiting for two weeks.

Also, keep in mind that until you accept their offer in writing, they can withdraw it at any time. (technically they can withdraw it after you accept, but that's bad form). So, if you wait two weeks, they may decide/find another candidate.

If they get you the offer on Friday, it is certainly reasonable to say "I need the weekend to consider", or even "I have travel plans this weekend. Is it alright to get back to you by Wednesday?" or some equivelant.

But, when you get the offer, you should either accept or tell them when they will have an answer by.

[tcepsa.livejournal.com]

Thank you--I'm working on some kind of synthesis of this idea into words that fit the current situation that I can either call or e-mail them, but that makes a lot of sense and while it's scary (my main concern is that they'd say "well, if you'd be willing to dump us if you got this other offer first then we don't want to even talk to you at all anyway" and cancel the interview regardless of whether I get the OTT or not... any thoughts on the probability of them actually doing something like that, or am I probably being overly anxious about that point?) it does seem to be the way to go (tell Very Shiny what's up, and see whether they can reschedule, and if I get the offer let them know that I need a day or two to consider it and that I'll get back to them on X day and let them know my decision)

[elkor.livejournal.com]

"well, if you'd be willing to dump us if you got this other offer first then we don't want to even talk to you at all anyway"

It is unlikely that a reasonable employer would take that stance. Most employers have a clear understanding that, when you are unemployed, you are looking at several different places. If anything, if they are really interested in you, they will jump at the chance of bringing you in sooner.

In a way, this is a reverse test. If they dump you because you are interviewing other places, it is because they:
a) Know they can't stand up to other employers from a benefits standpoint
b) Want employees that they can push around.

In either case, that isn't someone you want to be working for.

In the case of job offers, it is generally a good idea to have an idea of what you are looking for before the offer shows up. That way you can either accept the offer right away, or push back and negotiate.

My stance has been (the one time I had to think about it): "Thank you for the response." Then, depending on whether it meets my standard or not:
if it does: "This offer seems quite reasonable. I'd like to take a day just to make sure there isn't anything we've forgotten. Can I respond to you by COB tomorrow?"

If it doesn't: "This isn't quite what I was looking for. I'd like to take a day and evaluate your offer to see if I can be happy with it, or what it will take for us to both be happy."

In a way these are all tests. If they are willing to give you the time, it (to me) indicates a willingness to work with employees to make them happy/comfortable. If they try to hard ball you into an answer immediately, then they are going to try to hard ball you about other things (like mandatory overtime, lowball raises, etc) further down the line.

[divinerose.livejournal.com]

If the Very Shiny job is the one I pointed you towards, you could either try and bump up the interview, or ask when you would know either way. When I got my offer, it was a week later. When my friend Leigh went to interview, she had an offer on her answering machine by the time she got home the same day. Mine was delayed to someone being out of the office or something. But I think they have a fast turn around. You could always call Very Shiny and ask, I'm sure this isn't the first time it's happened.

[tcepsa.livejournal.com]

It is, and I will. Problem is I already kind of did (in a "please let me know if you have anything open sooner!" kind of way) and I strongly want to avoid coming across as an asshole, a la "Give me an interview now or go screw yourselves!" (One, the person I've been corresponding with has been incredibly helpful, and Two, I really DO want that position from what I've heard so far... but I really want the one that I just interviewed for today as well, and it seems like an offer in the hand is worth two in the bush, and the one I interviewed for today is almost as shiny as the Very Shiny one, for some of the same reasons, and some different reasons. Aaaaa brain go splodey now!)

Right now my current inclination is to basically follow Elkor's suggestion, explain the situation that I feel likely that I'll have an offer by the end of the week that I'd rather not keep waiting for another week, and if they can move up my interview that would be great, and if they can't and I don't get the offer I'd be happy to come and talk to them next week, but if the offer does come I'll probably take it. Except that seems kind of crass/blunt/straight up presumptuous (I don't know that I'm going to get the offer and I'm arguing myself in circles so I'm going to take a break now and put it on the back burner for a bit).

I hope the project is going well for you!

[elkor.livejournal.com]

and Two, I really DO want that position from what I've heard so far..

Tell them that.

"From what I have heard of it, I am really interested in this position. I'd really like the opportunity to talk to you about this opportunity as soon as possible. However, a previous interview has indicated they may be getting me an offer as soon as the end of this week. Just as I'm sure you wouldn't want to be asked to wait a week from a prospective employer, I don't feel it is appropriate to ask them to wait a week. Is there any way we can move this forward?"

You'll have to accept that the answer may be "no" in which case you might have to walk away from Shiny job in favor of OTT.

These are the hard decisions that makes being a grown up suck.

[belushi81x.livejournal.com]

If the first job call or whatever to make an offer, they might offer a deadline.... if they don't ask for one.

If you do it politely and you dont' get too "im looking for toher jobs" in their face, they're probably used to it.

Also.... those types aren't known for getting back to you quickly, so it mayb e a non-issue.

-Dave

[arashinomoui.livejournal.com]

Talked to my friend who had worked previously at your Northern-most possibility, he enjoyed his time there, a great time for a code-monkey, as long as you don't have aspirations for management.

If you know the specific dept let me know, as he says they can vary a vast amount. Many of the programs are Navy oriented, so very hierarchial in structure and personality.

[tcepsa.livejournal.com]

As I have absolutely no aspirations for management whatsoever, that makes it that much more appealing to me ^_^ The position is with the STJ department (hopefully that will mean something to your friend--I am not quite sure what it stands for)